21/08/2002

Royal Mail apologises for results mix-up

The Royal Mail has apologised over a mistake that left a number of GCSE students with an anxious wait for their exam results yesterday.

Around 75 pupils from Drumcree College in Portadown, County Armagh, and Our Lady’s Grammar and St Colman’s College in Newry, County Down, were left disappointed when their results failed to arrive yesterday morning. The pupils affected, who mostly live in the Banbridge, Craigavon and Lurgan areas, finally received their results at tea-time.

The schools involved stated that the exam results had been given to the Royal Mail on Monday for delivery on Tuesday morning.

The principal of Our Lady’s, Geraldine Pettigrew, said that the situation was “very disappointing”, and added that she had still not received an explanation for the delay.

“It is quite a stressful morning for families,” she said. “Pupils are waiting for results that don’t arrive and they know that decisions will have to be made about subject choice for A-level.”

Commenting on the missing GCSE results, local SDLP councillor, Dolores Kelly, said: “It is hard enough for anxious students, waiting on their results at this time without the added anguish caused by this terrible mistake."

In a statement, the Royal Mail said it regretted that the results failed to be processed in time for first delivery.

(KmcA)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

10 August 2017
Warning Issued Over Fake Royal Mail Missed Delivery Cards
Action Fraud has issued a warning over a fraud involving fake Royal Mail missed delivery cards. It is understood that 'something for you' cards are being posted through letterboxes claiming that a delivery couldn't be made.
29 June 2007
Postal strike hits deliveries
Postal deliveries are suspended today as staff across Northern Ireland strike today over pay and business restructuring proposals. Post Office branches are open, but mail sorting and delivery are suspended due to the industrial action.
26 August 2022
Postal Workers Launch Strike Action Across The UK
Some 115,000 postal workers across the UK have begun strike action today, Friday, 26 August, in a call for a "dignified, proper pay rise". Members of the Communication Workers Union – which represents Royal Mail Group workers – have started a series of national strike actions.
10 March 2009
NI Posties Praised
Three postal workers from Northern Ireland will be heading off to London later this month to attend an award ceremony to find the best postmen and women in the country.
09 July 2008
Barnardo's Gets A 'Home' - With Royal Mail
Royal Mail Group has officially launched a new corporate partnership with children's charity Barnardo's. Royal Mail Group's new charity partner was chosen following a business-wide ballot of employees as the successful three-year partnership with Help the Hospices ended in March this year.